Month: November 2010

Over the River and through the Woods

A Thanksgiving Journey

What has become of our traditions ? I can remember the days when families would get together and celebrate Thanksgiving eating until they almost burst. We looked forward to the holidays for months, patiently waiting and hoping every one in the family would be able to attend.

There were no arguments, just good discussion on everything from politics to religion . Everyone’s opinion was respected and no one even considered insulting someone in the family. Just good natured ribbing.

I needed a battery for my cordless mouse this Thanksgiving morning, needing to get some exercise, I decided to see if there was a slim chance Wal-Mart would be open. Approaching Wal-Mart I noticed the parking lot was full of cars and I should have no problem getting my battery and returning home. Then it hit me, What is going on in our country?

Since when do we need to go to Wal-Mart on Thanksgiving, or Easter, or any other holiday for that matter? Whatever happened to the days when families actually celebrated the holidays? Stores don’t need to be open on the holidays, if Wal-Mart wasn’t open today, I would just buy the battery tomorrow. I remember the days when there weren’t any stores open on Sunday, let alone a holiday, it wasn’t even considered. It was almost sacrilegious to even think about shopping on Sunday. Sunday was reserved for church and family life.

I grew up on a dairy farm, so there was work to do regardless of the day of the week, however only the necessary duties were performed, if other work needed to be done, such as baling hay, it was only done under extremely necessary circumstances. Family life was the priority.

My how times have changed, now family life, in a lot of cases has a low priority, often shoved behind less important functions. Many in the younger generation no longer want to participate in family functions. They consider it more important to hang out with their friends.

To many, Sundays and holidays mean nothing any more, it’s just another day of the week.

When did we go from patriots marching half naked with no shoes down ice covered New Jersey roads, soldiers surviving a brutal winter at Valley Forge, or marching across France and Germany to free holocaust victims to today where ordinary citizens are subjected to humiliating body scans at airports?

Like this:

George
Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation.

“Whereas it
is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty
God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to
implore His protection and favor — and whereas both Houses of Congress
have by their joint Committee requested me ‘to recommend to the People
of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be
observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of
Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to
establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

“Now therefore I do recommend and assign
Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of
these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the
beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be —
That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble
thanks — for His kind care and protection of the People of this
Country previous to their becoming a Nation — for the signal and
manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His Providence
which we experienced in the tranquility, union, and plenty, which we
have since enjoyed — for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we
have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our
safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately
instituted — for the civil and religious liberty with which we are
blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful
knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which He
hath been pleased to confer upon us.

“And also that we may then
unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great
Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and
other transgressions — to enable us all, whether in public or private
stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and
punctually — to render our national government a blessing to all the
people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and
constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed — to
protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have
shewn kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government,
peace, and concord — To promote the knowledge and practice of true
religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us
— and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal
prosperity as he alone knows to be best. — Given under my hand at the
City of New York, the third day of October in the year of our Lord
1789.”

Like this:

Batesville Indiana, The Old Iron Bridge

Many people remember crossing this historic bridge as they entered or left Batesville Indiana. Offering passage over the busy New York Central Railroad tracks, it became an icon of the community.

Having been constructed many years before, it had become too narrow for modern day traffic. Tales were told about how two cars couldn’t meet on the bridge, people would often wait on one side or the other for an approaching car to safely pass before proceeding on.

However this myth just wasn’t true, I remember one night. I was driving my brand spanking new 1965 Ford Fairlane Convertible to Napoleon to see some friends. I may have been going slightly over the posted speed limit. Thinking of everything but my driving, I suddenly found myself and an approaching car meeting in the middle of the structure.

There was no time to stop, slowing down to the speed of sound and easing over as far to the right as I could, we safely passed and both went on our way. No harm , no foul.

Among the younger male crowd there was also a long standing tradition to see who could drive from the bridge to Youngman’s Garage in Napoleon in the shortest amount of time.

At that time,the world’s record was held by another Napeleonite at 9 minutes and 40 seconds. Jim Youngman , my trusty navigator and timekeeper and I knew, that with proper planning, we could set a new all time world’s record.

Anyone who knows the area realizes that the 13 miles of highway between Napoleon and Batesville is extremely hilly and curvy, making it very difficult to make any real time. This would take some thought.

After discussing our attempt at the world record for many weeks, charting the course, and deciding the best possible time to attempt the historic run, we decided that just before dark would be desirable, as there was less traffic on the roads. Safety was one of our main concerns as we wanted ourselves and others to live to tell about it.

There were no rules as to what route we needed to take, so it was decided to take the Salem Church Road,and turn right on county road 350W, thereby eliminating some curves and hills. It would also mean we would need to travel less distance in Napoleon,we could save some time by eliminating as much town driving as possible.

The appointed time had arrived, it was time to make history! Entering the bridge in my 1952 Pontiac ,straight eight, four door sedan , no one was coming and race was on! Luck was with us as we raced down 229, not a car was in sight, all was going well as we made the right turn onto Salem Church Road, we could see that a new world’s record was within reach.

Turning left onto CR350W , it was only a matter of time until a new champion was crowned.

As we made the right turn onto Wilson Street in Napoleon , we were on the homestretch, all we had to worry about was crossing busy Hwy 421 , luck was still on our side, not a car in sight. With smoking brakes and a smile on our face, we coasted into Youngman’s Garage parking lot. The Timex told the story: 9 minutes 30 seconds.

We were the champs, we had gotten our 15 minutes of fame in 9 minutes and 30 seconds.

Several years later, as highway traffic increased and rail traffic decreased, the bridge was torn down and replaced with a grade crossing. Can’t have any fun at all anymore.

Gary has been a writer/ photographer for over 20 years, specializing in nature,landscapes and studying native cultures.Besides visiting most of the United States, he has traveled to such places as Egypt,the Canary Islands,much of the Caribbean. He has studied the Mayan Cultures in Central America, and the Australian Aboriginal way of life.Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in many different parts of the world!

He has published several books about the various cultures he has observed.

For more information and a link to his hard cover and Ebooks,and contact information: please check his website.www.commonsensejourneys.com

Your comments appreciated

There is an extreme shortage of common sense in today’s world,I often think back to what my parents and grandparents believed and said, at the time I thought they were totally out of their mind and ignored it. I now wish I would have listened and followed their advice more often.It is in this light I have decided to publish some of my random thoughts based on the views of our ancestors.

Like this:

Thanksgiving Weather Forecast

Turkeys will thaw in the morning, then warm in the oven to an
afternoon high near 190F. The kitchen will turn hot and humid, and ifyou bother the cook, be ready for a severe squall or cold shoulder.

During the late afternoon and evening, the cold front of a knife
will slice through the turkey, causing an accumulation of one to two
inches on plates. Mashed potatoes will drift across one side, while
cranberry sauce creates slippery spots on the other. Please pass the
gravy.

A weight watch and indigestion warning have been issued for the entire area, with increased stuffiness around the beltway.

During the evening, the turkey will diminish and taper off to leftovers, dropping to a low of 34F in the refrigerator.

Looking ahead to Friday and Saturday, high pressure to eat sandwiches
will be established. Flurries of leftovers can be expected both days
with a 50 percent chance of scattered soup late in the week. We expect a
warming trend where soup develops.

By early next week, eating pressure will be low as the only wish left will be the bone.

John Stretch Park Lake Okeechobee Florida

John Stretch Park located near the small town of South Bay in southern Florida is an interesting place to take a little break from the long drive up highway 27 from Fort Lauderdale or Miami on your way to parts unknown . Situated on Lake Okeechobee , it is a small park featuring some of the old pumps and equipment that had been used in the past to control the flooding in this part of the state .

Shown here is an old Nordberg 1655 Horse Power diesel engine that served for many years. This 11 cylinder engine only consumed 65 gallons of fuel per hour, and thus was capable of pumping 1,861,392,900 gallons of water in the same time period.

With the introduction of newer more efficient engines it was retired in 1989. Bring your picnic basket as there are plenty of tables available to enjoy a small lunch before resuming your journey.

Gary has been a writer/ photographer for over 20 years, specializing in nature,landscapes and studying native cultures.Besides visiting most of the United States, he has traveled to such places as Egypt,the Canary Islands,much of the Caribbean. He has studied the Mayan Cultures in Central America, and the Australian Aboriginal way of life.Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in many different parts of the world!

He has published several books about the various cultures he has observed.

For more information and a link to his hard cover and Ebooks,and contact information: please check his website.www.commonsensejourneys.com

Like this:

Siesta Key Sarasota Florida

One of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world, Siesta Key Beach beckons to anyone who may want to kick back , relax and forget about the world’s worry’s, if only for a few hours.

Many clumps of sea oats dot this beach, adding to the beauty and serenity of the area. The white sandy beach, which always feels cool to the feet is perfect for beach walking, far from spring break crowds, the area enjoys plenty of escapees from the north land without the normal college crowds.

Located just an hour south of Tampa International airport, Siesta Key is conveniently located near such popular attractions as Disney World and Epcot.

Gary has been a writer/ photographer for over 20 years, specializing in nature,landscapes and studying native cultures.Besides visiting most of the United States, he has traveled to such places as Egypt,the Canary Islands,much of the Caribbean. He has studied the Mayan Cultures in Central America, and the Australian Aboriginal way of life.Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in many different parts of the world!

He has published several books about the various cultures he has observed.

For more information and a link to his hard cover and Ebooks,and contact information: please check his website.www.commonsensejourneys.com

Like this:

Love for others

As we travel through life , change is inevitable. As we approach certain milestones in life it is only natural to have our thoughts and values evolve into something new .

Marriage, having children , the death of a parent or loved one , as well attaining the age of 30 , middle age, or reaching what some regard as retirement age, these milestones all normally bring on new realizations concerning the meaning of life and our relationship with others.

Not only do we change, but the people around us change as well , not only because of their new realizations, but as a result of our new attitudes and how they adapt to them.

Through all of this , how do we continue to love them as we did before?

We can only accept them as they are, and allow them to be themselves. We don’t have the ability or right to make them into something they aren’t. They can only learn these life lessons for themselves, no one can do it for them. As one travels through life, we drop old patterns , habits, and wants. We become someone else, not only do the cells in our body completely replenish every seven years, our whole persona undergoes a transformation.

If they can’t, or we can’t relate to their/our new life pattern, or if the purpose for us being together vanishes, they too will vanish from our lives. Oftentimes they will develop what we would consider destructive patterns, this is an indication to us it is time to move on.

One has to love himself enough to not be brought down by what we consider self-destructive people, if we don’t , we will keep attracting that sort of personality until we are brought down. They are simply on a different life path than we are, all paths are valid, and one path isn’t better or worse than another, just different. All paths have the same destination so we will meet up again, when our spiritual paths again cross and are compatible.

The best thing to do is understand that they are on their own journey ,it isn’t either good or bad, it is only different than ours, give them our love and understanding and let them go on their way.

The lessons for this relationship have been learned and it is time to move on to bigger and different adventures . As this is understood, many positive events begin to occur. Starting on a subconsciousness level, our life situation changes, souls who we are more compatible with begin entering our life, creating a more positive environment in which we can learn,love, and prosper.

Thus by loving others unconditionally, letting them evolve at their own pace, our own lives become richer, fuller, and more prosperous.